Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, for short, is one of the most misunderstood medical conditions. Traditionally, the disease was considered as childhood affliction that people outgrew when they reached adulthood.
Thankfully, modern technology has shed more light on this lifelong neurological condition. Research has uncovered that the disease is more pronounced in children who tend to be hyperactive. The symptoms are less noticeable in adults because they find healthy ways to channel energy.
If you suspect that your child has this condition, reaching out to ADHD support services in Townsville can help them cope with life.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a behavioral disorder whose symptoms include impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity. Symptoms tend to manifest at an early age, but often become more noticeable when they get into a structured environment such as school.
Children with ADHD have a hard time following orders and instructions, much to the distress of their teachers. Most diagnoses happen in children aged six to 12 years, but the symptoms tend to improve with age.
Treatment Options
Medication is the most popular way to treat this condition, but it’s hardly the best way to go about it. The use of drugs to treat ADHD gave rise to the saying “pills don’t teach skills.” It implies that it is more helpful to let patients learn ADHD-friendly ways of dealing with life.
Most treatment options blend a couple of complementary approaches for enhanced efficiency. For instance, coupling medication with learning new behaviors speeds up the learning process.
Stimulants are the most common form of medication prescribed by doctors. They help to reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity while increasing attention span.
Therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is effective in treating patients with this disorder. Arming patients with CBT skills help break their unproductive thinking pattern. It also helps them to zero in on behavioral changes that positively impact their lives.
Strange as it might sound, lifestyle changes are an effective way to deal with such a disorder. Positive changes help to minimize the adverse effects of ADHD in a patient’s life. Checklists and to-do lists or even requesting workplace accommodations can help improve productivity. A regular exercise routine also helps to ease the symptoms.
Living with ADHD
Raising a child with this condition brings about numerous challenges, but getting them to the most effective treatment and being supportive is crucial. Children, in particular, need a lot of support since they don’t fully understand what’s happening to them. Most doctors prescribe medication to help their patients settle down and avoid distractions.
Children who have ADHD are especially vulnerable at school since they are highly misunderstood. They are often labeled as lazy and unmotivated or simply problem children if they are hyperactive. As children age, they may struggle to remain attentive, which might lead to academic difficulties.
Working closely with professionals and surrounding yourself and your child with a supportive and welcoming group of people can help you go on. Many successful people in the world are open about their struggle with ADHD. Your child, too, has a chance of following in their footstep to lead a healthy, joyful, and successful life despite the disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a lifelong neurological condition that affects little kids. Getting the right help is the most effective way to give your child a chance to live a good happy life.
